Position Paper on ‘Trans Asian Railway’ Network Presentation Sequence Brief of Railway • Operational Information • Historic Land Mark, Vision, Corridors in

Regional Connectivity Related to Bangladesh • Opportunities of Bangladesh to be Transport Hub • Regional Railway Connectivity in Bangladesh • TAR, TAR‐4, Seaport Connectivity with TAR network within Bangladesh. • SAARC, SASEC, BIMSTEC, BCIM, SILK ROUTE

Major Initiatives for Regional Connectivity • Challenges of Bangladesh Railway • Major investment works under Bangladesh Railway • Major initiatives to establishment of railway connectivity. • Future Plan of Bangladesh Railway. 2 Brief about Bangladesh Railway • 1862: Started its journey as Eastern Railway with 53.11 km Jagoti- Darsana BG Rail link. • 1947: and separated • 1961: Renamed as Pakistan Eastern Railway. • 1972: Started providing services as Bangladesh Railway. • 1998: East-West Railway connectivity over river Jamuna was established from the day of opening Bangabandhu . • 2003: Direct BG train communication between East and West zone was established over . • 2007: Bangladesh signed TAR agreement. • 2008: Direct passenger train “” between and established. • 2011: Ministry of Railways formed under SRO-361. • Covers and connects 44 Districts of the country out of 64 Districts. Operational Information of Bangladesh Railway Two Zones: East and West Zone • East Zone: 1333.93 km • MG: 1299.04 km • BG: 676.66 km • DG: 34.89 km • West Zone: 1621.60 km • MG: 547.05 km • BD: 676.66 km • DG: 397.89 km Operational Division: 4 divisions • Dhaka • • • Lalmonirhat Total Route Kilometer: • 2955.53 km • MG:1846.09 km • BG: 676.66 km • DG: 432.78 km Existing Railway Network 4 Historic Land Mark of Bangladesh Railway Jamuna Dedicated Railway Bridge Project On 23 June 1998: The first revolutionary development in BR was to connect east and west zone by rail link through Bangabandhu Bridge.

Padma Bridge Project

On 14 April On 14 August 2003: 2009: BG Trains Direct BG train come Dhaka communication directly after between East zone Dhaka- (Joydevpur) and Joydevpur West Zone section was () was converted into started. .

5 Vision • To expand and improve the railway system to provide safer, better, a more environment friendly and cost effective transport facility to the national and international traffic. Foster international rail links to serve regional/sub‐regional connectivity and Trans Asian Railway.(perspective plan) • To play an important and dominant role in an integrated transport system by emphasis its strength.(Master Plan) Strategy to Achieve the Vision • Gauge conversion and maintenance enhancement‐Regional Integration • Unlocking line capacity‐Signal and Telecom • New Rail line construction • Rolling stock procurement and maintenance enhancement • Establishment of RDS Unit • To increase market share

6 7 Corridors in Bangladesh Railway

8 Bangladesh Railway: Corridors

9 Establishment of Regional connectivity Vision . To establish Trans-Asian Railway network and SAARC, BIMSTEC, SASEC etc. regional railway corridors through Bangladesh. . To achieve seamless movement of freight and passengers across borders. . To establish transport hub in Bangladesh.

Objectives • To establish a Preferential Trade Area with South Asian Countries by Improving railway Connectivity, Interoperability, Interchange-ability etc. • To fast regionalisation within South Asian countries to reduce Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs). • To introduce Electronic Data Interchange. • To harmonise Legal, Commercial and Technical Standards.

10 Regional Connectivity Relating to Bangladesh

TAR Network • The unique geographical SAARC Route position of Bangladesh will SASEC Corridors lead to become a land BIMSTEC transport Hub and logistic BCIM Route Silk Route centre in the region Regional Transport Connectivity in

ASEAN Association of Southeast Asian Nations BIMP-EAGA Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area CAREC Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation GMS Greater Mekong Subregion IMT-GT Indonesia Malaysia Thailand Growth Triangle PIF Pacific Islands Forum SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Note: Map not to scale REGIONAL RAILWAY CONNECTIVITY IN BANGLADESH There are 8 (Eight) interchange points between India and Bangladesh and one newly proposed, namely

SN Interchange Point Status Bangladesh India 1 Darshana Gede In operation 2 In operation 3 Rahonpur Singabad In operation 4 Birol In operation from 8 April 2017 5 Shahbazpur Mohishashan Closed since 7 July 2002. A project for conversion and rehabilitation of the section (Kulaura- Shahbazpur) into DG is going on under Indian Dollar credit line (LOC). 6 Chilahati Holdibari Closed since 1965. “ Construction of Broad Gauge Rail line between Chilahati and Chilahati Border for connectivity with India” has been approved on 18.09.2018 to re-established this interchange point. 7 Burimari Closed since 1971 8 Moghalhat closed since 1998

13 REGIONAL RAILWAY CONNECTIVITY IN BANGLADESH (Contd.)

SN Interchange Point Status Bangladesh India New Interchange Points 9 Akhaura Proposed new connectivity to be constructed under grant from Government of India New Link 10 Feni Belonia Techno economic survey has been completed. Reconstruction of this section may establish Feni- Belonia interchange points. There may be another interchange point between Bangladesh and at Gundum, Cox’s Bazar.

14 REGIONAL RAILWAY CONNECTIVITY IN BANGLADESH

Existing Regional Connectivity Radhikapur At present Closed Connectivity Proposed new connectivity

Singhabad

Agartala TARROUTE–1: Gede (, India) Trans-Asian Railway network – Darsana – Ishurdi – Jamtoil – Joydebpur – TAR-3 Within Bangladesh – Akhaura – Radhikapur Birol Dinazpur Chittagong – – (India) Gundum – (Mynmar Parbatipur border station). TAR-2 Sub-route – I : Tongi –Singabad Mohishasan Dhaka. (India) Rohanpur Shahbazpur (India) Sub-route – II : Akhaura – Kulaura – Shahbazpur – Abdulpur Kulaura Mahisasan (India) Ishurdi Tongi

TARROUTE–2: Dhaka Akhaura Singabad (West Bengal, India) – Rohanpur – Darsana Bhanga TAR-1 Rajshahi – Abdulpur – Ishurdi and thereafter Gede (India) following the rest of the TAR-4 Benapole TAR-4 route/sub-routes of Route Petrapole Chittagong –I. (India) Dohazari TARROUTE–3: Radhikapur (West Bengal, India) – Birol – – Ramu Gundum Parbatipur – Abdulpur – Proposed TAR-4 as [Benapole–Jessore– Ishurdi and thereafter Narail–Bhanga–Mawa– – following the rest of the Dhaka–Tongi and thereafter following Myanmar route/sub-routes of Route the rest of the route/sub-routes of Route –I. –1] Recognition of proposed TAR network as TAR‐4 as [Benapole–Jessore–Narail–Bhanga–Mawa– Narayanganj– Dhaka–Tongi and thereafter following the rest of the route/sub‐routes of Route – 1]

 Completion and Padma Railway Link will lead to o reduction of travel distance from kolkata to Dhaka o reduction of travel time. o reduction of operation and maintenance cost  Benapol (India)–Jessore–Narail–Bhanga–Mawa– Narayanganj–Dhaka–Tongi would be more prosperous route to be followed by future traffic  Railway Connection to southern region (i.e Barguna, Barishal, Jhalkathi, Potuakhali, Pirojpur..) of Bangladesh  Padma Railway Link project is scheduled to be completed within June, 2024.

17 Scenario to reach Dhaka from Kolkata by using TAR‐ 1 vs TAR‐4 Within Bangladesh

18

Seaport Connectivity with TAR network within Bangladesh

A. Existing Sea port B. Future port • Chittagong port • Payra port • Mongla port • Moheskhali‐Matarbari Deep Sea Port

All the ports to offer India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar the facility of shipment after transiting their goods through Bangladesh territory.

20 • Construction of Khulna-Mongla Seaport Connectivity with TAR Port Rail Line (1st network TAR-3 revised within Bangladesh Radhikapur Birol Dinazpur (India) •Feasibility Study Parbatipur TAR-2 with Detail Design Singabad Mohishasan and Tender (India) Rohanpur Shahbazpur (India) Document Kulaura Preparation for Abdulpur Tongi Construction of Ishurdi Rail Line from TAR-4 Dhaka Akhaura Bhanga Junction Darsana Bhanga (Faridpur) to TAR-1 Jessore Payra Port Via Gede (India) TAR-4 Benapole Petrapole KHULNA Barisal Chittagong (India) •Technical Dohazari Assistance for CTG port Ramu Dhaka- Payra Chittagong-Cox’s Mongla port Gundum Bazar Rail Project port Moheskhali- Matarbari Preparatory Deep sea port Myanmar Facility SAARC Railway corridors in Bangladesh

Following SAARC railway corridors passes through Bangladesh (as per SAARC Regional Railways Agreement):

2. Pakistan-India-Bangladesh-India i. (Pakistan) - Wagah (Pakistan) - Atari (India) - (India)- Kolkata(India)- Gede/Petrapol (India) - Darshana / Benapol (Bangladesh) - Dhaka(Bangladesh)- Shahbazpur (Bangladesh) - Maishashan (India) – Imphal (India) ii. Lahore(Pakistan) - Wagha (Pakistan) - Atari (India)-Delhi(India)- Kolkata(India)- Gede/Petrapol (India) - Darshana / Benapol (Bangladesh)–Dhaka(Bangladesh)- Akhaura/ Gangasagar (Bangladesh) - Agartala (India) 3. India-Bangladesh • Imphal(India) - Agartala (India) – Akhaura/Gangasagar (Bangladesh) – Chittagong Port (Bangladesh)

22 SAARC Railway corridors in Bangladesh (contd.)

5. Nepal-India-Bangladesh i. Birgunj (Nepal) – (India) - (India) - Rohanpur (Bangladesh) - Mongla Port/ Chittagong Port (Bangladesh) ii. Biratnagar (Nepal) - Jogbani (India) - Radhikapur (India) - Birol (Bangladesh) - Khulna (Bangladesh) - Mongla Port (Bangladesh). iii. Bardibas(Nepal) – Inarwa (Nepal) - Jaynagar (India) - Radhikapur (India) - Birol (Bangladesh) - Khulna(Bangladesh) - Mongla Port (Bangladesh). 7. Bangladesh-Bhutan • Mongla Port/Chittagong Port (Bangladesh) - Chilahati (Bangladesh) - Haldibari (India) – Hasimara (India) - Bhutan.

23 SAARC RAILWAY CORRIDORS

24 SASEC Railway corridors in Bangladesh . The South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Program, set up in 2001, brings together Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and in a project-based partnership to o promote regional prosperity by improving cross-border connectivity, o boosting trade among member countries, and o strengthening regional economic cooperation. . The shared vision of SASEC are to o increase trade and cooperation within South Asia, o create linkages to East and Southeast Asia, ensure fast and least-cost cross-border movement of goods, people, and business, and o improve opportunity and the quality of life for the people of the SASEC sub-region. 25 SASEC RAILWAY CORRIDORS

There are two nos SASEC Rail corridor:

SASEC Rail Corridor -1: Nepal-Kolkata Trade Corridor: Birgunj-Raxaul (Nepal)-Muzaffarpur-Patna-Gaya-Asansol-Kolkata-Haldia (912Km)

SASEC Rail Corridor -2: India-Bangladesh Rail Corridor: Kolkata-- Gede--Dhaka--Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar (675 Km);

•Spur Line 2A: Comilla-Agartala-Akhaura (57Km); •Spur Line 2B:links to Northwest Bangladesh(79km and 156Km): Birol (BR) – Radhikapur (IR) and Rohanpur (BR) – Singhabad (IR) •Spur Line 2C: Darsana-Khulna-Mongla(150Km) • Spur Line 2D: Connection to Payra Port (236 Km) SASEC CORRIDOR MAP

27 BIMSTEC • The “ Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC)” is an international organization involving a group of 7(seven) countries in South Asia and South East Asia. These are: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal.

• “BIMSTEC Transport Infrastructure and Logistics Study (BTILS)” was taken in hand in 2006 under financing of ADB and the study was completed in 2007.

• The railway corridors 1 and 3 through Bangladesh identified by BTILS are same as SAARC rail corridor 2 and 5: BTILS Route-1: Lahore (Pakistan)- Delhi/Kolkata(India)- Dhaka/ Kulaura (Bangladesh)-Mohishason-Imphal (India). BTILS Route-3: Birgunj (Nepal)-Kaatihar/Singhabad (India)-Rohanpur-Chittagong Port (Bangladesh), with links to Jogbani, Biratnagar (Nepal) and Agartala (India).

28 BCIM ECONOMIC CORRIDOR . The Bangladesh–China–India–Myanmar Forum for Regional Cooperation (BCIM) . sub-regional organization of Asian nations . aimed at greater integration of trade and investment between the four countries. . one of the largest free trade areas through linking the ASEAN Free Trade Area, ASEAN-China Free Trade Area and ASEAN–India Free Trade Area, o to create a corridor that would effectively combine , rail, water and air linkages in the region. o bolster foreign trade of the BCIM countries and empower bilateral trading

29 BCIM Economic Corridor

30 Silk Road

The Silk Road or Silk Route is a historical network of interlinking trade routes across the Afro-Eurasian landmass that connected East and South and Western Asia with the Mediterranean and European world as well as parts of North and East Africa.

The Silk Road includes three routes namely Northern Route, Southern Route and South-west Route.

31 Silk Route

32 Challenges of Bangladesh Railway 1. Lack of Unification of Gauge 2. Load Constraints on Bangabandhu Railway Bridge 3. Absence of double line in main corridor 4. Missing links and overall deteriorated rail networks 5. Poor multi‐modal transport and logistics facilities 6. ICD capacity constraints 7. Shortage of Rolling Stock 8. Absence of automated Train Controlling and Train Management System (CTC) 9. Insufficient Maintenance Facilities at existing Workshop 10. Shortage of manpower 11. Less priority and minimal investment over decades 12. Reform issues & Policy constraints 13. Absence of mechanized track maintenance system in Bangladesh railway 33 Opportunities of Bangladesh Railway

•Geographical location •Large population •Huge demand •Connectivity to TAR/regional network •Connectivity to Sea Ports •Regional Transport HUB

34 Major investment works under Bangladesh Railway

• Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge.(JICA) • Padma Bridge Rail Link Project.(China) • Construction of Dual Gauge Double Rail Line and Conversion of Existing RailLine into Dual Gauge Between Akhaura and Laksam.(ADB) • Construction of Dual Gauge Double line between Joydebpur‐Ishurdi sectionof Bangladesh Railway.(China) • Construction of Single Line Dual Gauge (DG) Railway Track from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to Gundum Near Myanmar.(ADB) • Construction of Khulna‐Mongla Port Rail Line .(LoC) • Rehabilitation of Kulaura‐Shahbazpur Section of Bangladesh Railway .(LoC) • Construction of Akhaura‐Agartala Dual Gauge Railway Link (Indian Grant) • Construction of Broad Gauge Rail line between Chilahati and Chilahati Border for connectivity with India.

35 Actions Taken by Bangladesh Railway • Proposed Dhaka-Comilla chord line would provide shortest railway corridor to connect Chittagong port to West Bengal of India. • Actions taken for construction of missing links and enhancement of capacity. • All ports in the Bay of Bengal are estuarine with shallow drafts of 9m or less where as proposed Matarbari & Sonadia Deep Sea Port will have 15 m & 14m draft respectively which will allow container vessels arrival at the port with 4000 TEUs or more. • The deepest berth in proposed deep sea port at Sonadia/Matarbari would be the key to make Bangladesh a regional transport Hub which would be the nearest deep sea port to Nepal, Bhutan and parts of India.

36 MajorSome Initiatives Potential toPriority Establis Projectshment ofof BangladeshRailway Connectivity Railway  Rajshahi-Rohonpur border section –entry of TAR-2  Saidpur-Chilahati section rehabilitation  Dhaka-Chittagong Corridor Up gradation  Initiatives to construction of missing links of TAR, Dohazari-Cox’s bazar  Convert and Reopen MG Kulaura-Shahbajpur Section to DG  Khulna-Mongla rail link construction  Dedicated Railway Bridge on Jamuna River  Padma Bridge Rail link  Container Depot near Dhirasram  Joydevpur-Ishwardi Double line Construction  Akhaura-Agortala railway line  Procurement of RS, locomotives, coaches and wagons

37 Future Plan of Bangladesh Railway  BR has recently updated the Master Plan aligning the GOB’s plans & policy statements, and adopted a Revised Master Plan (July 2016-June 2045) under changed environment to meet emerging challenges.

 230 projects at BDT 553,662 crore (US$ 70 billion), implemented over a period of 30 years spanning (6 phases of 5 years each) from FY 2016 to FY 2045. ● Infrastructure development (rail line, bridge, station & platform, S&T etc.) ● RS procurement (locomotive, carriage, wagon etc.) ●Maintenance facility development ● Reform

38 Railway Master Plan Phase No. of projects under Project Cost Source of Master Plan (2016- (2016-2045) Fund 2045) (Taka in crore) Phase-1 83 147,833 GOB + FA

Phase-2 67 119,680 GOB + FA

Phase-3 37 94,161 GOB + FA Phase-4 23 96,885 GOB + FA Phase- 5 14 82,649 GOB + FA Phase-6 6 12,454 GOB + FA Total 230 553,662 GOB + FA

39 ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED TO IMPROVE REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY

• Agreement among the signatories to eliminate the restrictions of movement of trains in the territory of member countries. • Elimination of physical barrier to implement the Trans Asian Railway Network by implementing necessary projects. • Exploration of New bilateral or multilateral corridors for mutual benefit. • To finance the necessary projects by Member countries and Development Partners.

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